Paula Kettula

Hi, I’m Paula Kettula, LCSW, and I help individuals, couples, and children heal from trauma, anxiety, and depression so they can create lives filled with greater connection, meaning, and well-being. If you’ve tried traditional talk therapy but still feel stuck, you’re not alone. Many people find that insight alone isn’t enough to create lasting change. My approach goes deeper by working not only with the mind, but also with the body and nervous system. I specialize in nervous system regulation and use an integrative, trauma-informed approach that includes EMDR, somatic therapy, mindfulness, and therapeutic yoga for trauma recovery. Together, we uncover the patterns that are keeping you stuck while building practical, embodied tools to support real and sustainable change. I am the founder and CEO of Porta Verum Psychotherapy Services in San Diego, where my team and I support individuals, couples, and families in creating lives filled with joy, connection, empowerment, and love. Porta Verum was recognized as one of the Top 10 psychotherapy practices in the 92103 zip code for 2025 based on client satisfaction and verified reviews. My work is also shaped by my background as a yoga and meditation teacher. After a serious car accident, I experienced firsthand how healing often requires more than just talking—it requires reconnecting with the body. That experience continues to inform how I support clients today. For children, I offer child-centered play therapy grounded in a deep understanding of child development and the science of learning. I hold a diploma from the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI), which informs my approach to supporting children’s emotional growth, autonomy, and natural development. In addition to psychotherapy, I integrate mindfulness, neuroscience, and mind-body practices to support deeper healing and transformation. Our practice also offers yoga, mindfulness meditation, and therapeutic yoga for trauma and stress recovery as complementary supports. My work has been featured in publications such as Yahoo Finance, The San Diego Union-Tribune, and The Boston Herald. You don’t need to have everything figured out to begin. You just need to take the first step—and I’ll meet you there.